Daijiworld News Network - Karkala (GA)

Karkala, Oct 16:  The women of SHGs from Sanoor and nearby areas took to streets protesting against the illegal arrack shop at Kamalakshanagar in Sanoor near here on Monday October 16 morning.

The women who had gathered in large numbers were led by Lalita, Shakuntala, Mohini, Malati and others.  Speaking on the occasion, the women said that they do not appeal to shift the arrack shops but they want them to be closed.  "Illegal arrack shops are operating in Muddananagar, Kalakshanagar and Shunthigudde areas.  Till they are closed, we would protest.  But before that, if they sell arrack, they will be pulled out and tied down to the trees," they warned in unison.

The agitators also submitted an appeal to the gram panchayat president Narasimha Kamath.   Speaking to the protestors, he said that the said arrack shops had not obtained permission from the gram panchayat and therefore they are illegal.  However, the excise officers who were there said that they do not need permission from gram panchayat to start arrack shop.  But the agitators said that they should take permission from gram panchayat for the building.

Amidst all these issues, a decision with regard to the arrack shops was not taken.  It was decided to wait for the taluk panchayat chief executive officer to intervene and settle the matter.